Kurt Cobain is the only man who could ever really sing Nirvana songs and be acceptable to fans.

A tweet by Nirvana's former bassist Krist Novoselic two days ago seemed to indicate he'd been practicing the band's songs again. Why? Apart from the fact everyone is remembering Kurt, his talent and influence right now, there's another big date on the musical calendar: Nirvana are being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next Thursday in Brooklyn, by Cobain's former friend and would-be collaborator, REM's Michael Stipe.

Many inductees sing at the ceremony: Yusuf Islam (aka Cat Stevens), Hall and Oates and Peter Gabriel are expected to play some of their signatures tunes. Kiss and Linda Ronstadt are also being inducted.

As yet, there is no official word on what the surviving members of Nirvana (Novoselic and Dave Grohl) plan to do. Although Pat Smear joined the band before Cobain's death, he is not being inducted.

The surviving members of Nirvana have played together since Cobain's death. Sir Paul McCartney sang a song he had written with Novoselic and Grohl at the Hurricane Sandy relief concert in 2012 and again in 2013 on McCartney's world tour - although they didn't play Nirvana songs. But it was an awkward fit and notwithstanding Cobain having been a Beatles fan, many fans would have cringed.

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There are two main roadblocks to Nirvana performing their classic songs, such as Smells Like Teen Spirit, Come As You Are, Lithium and Heart-Shaped Box. The first is respect: last year Grohl told NME playing Nirvana songs again was "sacred ground".

"If we were ever to do something like that it would have to be right because you want to pay tribute," Grolh told NME. "There's a reason Foo Fighters don't do Nirvana songs, and it's a good reason."

Kurt Cobain's death to be remembered as Nirvana gets inducted to the Hall of Fame.

But Grohl did ask PJ Harvey to front a Nirvana reunion once (she couldn't make it) because Cobain loved her music. So done right, it's possible.

The other roadblock is finding that right person, someone who the band and the public would accept in Cobain's place, even if only as a once-off. So we know PJ Harvey is accepted by the band, but who else? Arguably Pixies frontman Black Francis (whom Cobain also hugely admired) and also the Melvins frontman Buzz Osborne, who might be the purists' choice but he'd be too obscure for the Hall of Fame.

Which brings us back to Michael Stipe, who remember has the task of inducting Nirvana next Thursday. He was said to be collaborating with Cobain on the follow-up to Nivana's final album, In Utero. Stipe included a haunting tribute to Cobain, Let Me In, on REM's 1994 album, Monster. Mike Mills even played one of Cobain's old guitars on the track.

Judy Berman, of culture website Flavorwire, picks Stipe as the most likely and points out that Nirvana are the only act not to confirm a tribute or performance (besides from Kiss, who are wracked with in-fighting over their line-up) so she predicts "we have a surprise in store".

There's a reason Foo Fighters don't do Nirvana songs, and it's a good reason

How would he handle the songs? Stipe's deep voice and at-times mumbling style isn't necessarily a good fit for Nirvana songs, which were recognisable for Cobain's raspy and emotive voice. But Stipe does has plenty of emotion in his voice - again, just listen to his wailing in Let Me In - and given his proximity to Cobain 20 years ago it's hard to imagine he's never sung a Nirvana song.

Stipe wouldn't be the perfect choice, but the only perfect choice isn't available. All will be revealed next Thursday.